Dhaka: The government has announced its plan to import 400,000 metric tonnes of rice as part of a strategy to tackle potential crises during the upcoming flood season. This decision was made at a Food Planning and Monitoring Committee meeting held at the Bangladesh Secretariat, chaired by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder briefed reporters following the meeting, highlighting the government's proactive stance in anticipation of possible floods during the Aman season. He stated, "We don't want to take any risks during the Aman season. Last time, we began preparations after the flood because the government had just been formed." The procurement of rice will be conducted through an international tender.
Majumder also discussed the impact of continuous rain on standing vegetables, while noting that the Boro paddy has already been harvested and Aman paddy is at its initial stage. He reassured that there is no anticipated loss for the paddy, but emphasized the importance of advance preparations and procurement processes.
The Food Adviser mentioned that by November 2025, the country's safe food storage is expected to reach 13 lakh metric tonnes, consisting of both rice and wheat. He reported that the government has already collected 3.76 lakh metric tonnes of Boro paddy, surpassing the target of 3.50 lakh metric tonnes. The target for rice collection is set at 14 lakh metric tonnes, with 9.50 lakh metric tonnes collected so far. "Hopefully, we will be able to come close to the target. We will stop the rice procurement process in mid-August," he added.
Majumder also announced the launch of food-friendly programmes following the completion of the procurement process. Under this initiative, 55 lakh families across the country will receive 30 kilograms of rice per month at the rate of Tk 15 per kilogram, an increase from the previous 50 lakh families. This programme will run for six months, covering August, September, October, November, February, and March. He expressed hope that the market will remain stable given the satisfactory food storage situation.